Since I debuted on HBO in 2008, the vampire series True Blood has garnered a lot of attention and a steady fan following. Now, after starting its sophomore season in June 2009, True Blood brings up the important question of tracing the origins of the books (Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris, True Blood is based on the first book), Dead Until to the Dark): What is better – the books or the television series and what are the differences?
As an avid vampire lore enthusiast, I was enthralled by the concept presented in the first episode of True Blood: Japanese scientists perfected synthetic blood, thus allowing vampires to reveal their presence to the world (since they could already survive by absorbing synthetic blood instead of drinking it straight from a cow, so to speak). .
HBO sold some of the very first episodes of True Blood on DVD around the time of the series’ debut. I didn’t subscribe to HBO at the time and I never recognized the series in any other way. After watching one episode, I was interested enough to do some research on the series.
I was delighted to discover that True Blood is based on a series of books authored by Harris. I bought my copy of the first book Dead Till Dark and read it quickly. I kept looking for the later books until I had read them all (see reviews of the first eight books here and a review of Harris’ most recent installment Dead and Gone here).
In the meantime, I’ve been paying attention to episodes of True Blood (thanks to the Internet) and I’ve been amazed to see so many minor – yet surprising – changes that have occurred in the translation from book to television. Here’s a breakdown of the differences between the season one of True Blood and Dead to Darkness.
Of course, there are always going to be minor changes when books are made into movies or television shows, but some changes are significant enough to be worth noting.
True blood vs. Dead to Darkness: Immoderate Sex
Aside from being the only gender that comes between Sookie and her love interest in Dead Until Dark and other Southern Vampire Mysteries, there are other notable changes in True Blood that change the tone of the story and open up possibilities for future stories. fortifications
True blood vs. Dead Until Darkness: Jessica
In the first season of True Blood, Bill a vampire (Fangtasia vampire Longshadow) attacks Sookie and is forced to. in great punishment (he is forced to turn the teenager Jessica into a vampire). In Dead Till Dark, Eric the Viking vampire is actually the one who kills Longshadow. While Eric is punished for this, the punishment is light as Longshadow’s vampires see Eric’s betrayal as worthy of death.
It is later revealed that the purpose of this scenario was changed for the television series to introduce the character of Jessica – Child Bill”. No appears in Southern Vampire Mysteries and was created for True Blood. In season two, Jessica’s role is expanded.
True blood vs. Dead to Darkness: Jason and the 5th Act
In all season one, Jason meets Sookie’s brother with Addiction V – vampire blood. This never happens in Dead Until Dark – or in any of the other books in the series.
While the addiction to vampire blood is mentioned a few times throughout the book series, it plays a very small role. 5 in the story of True Blood plays a major part in the story and in the life of Jason Stackhouse.
In True Blood, Jason’s mistress (one of many actually – Jason is accurately portrayed in True Blood, as in the female books), Amy convinces him to help her kidnap a gay vampire named Eddie to extract Straight from the Source v. They enjoy riding high together until Amy is shocked by Eddie’s anger. Amy was later killed by serial killer Rene.
None of this occurs in Dead Till Dark.
True blood vs. Dead until dark: Tara
In season one of True Blood, Sookie’s friend Tara takes the lead role in the series, while she is a minor character in the books. She develops a relationship with minister Sam (which does not occur in the book) and participates in the exorcisms of both her mother and herself (also does not occur in the book). During the first season, Tara harbors a secret crush on Sookie’s brother Jason and takes him out of the two spots (again, not an aspect explored in the book).
In addition, they are not African-American in the book. Obviously, it’s not much. The actress who plays Tara (Rutina Wesley) in True Blood brings to life very clearly in my opinion and personality that is not seen in the books. That’s what works in my opinion.
True blood vs. Dead Until Darkness: Final Season
In the first season finale of True Blood, Bill burns horribly when he wakes up from his sleeping position – bursting into the sunlight to save Sookie from the killer Rene. (In the vampire book series he describes them as literally dead when they sleep during the day – making it next to impossible to wake them up during the daylight hours – another departure from the original story.) Rene is killed by Bill and Sookie is forever grateful for Bill’s near-sacrifice in his attempt to save her.
In Dead Until Dark, Bill plays no part in saving Sookie from Rene. Sookie saves herself and ends up in the hospital after a violent altercation. Rene also survived the match with Sookie – just barely – and was imprisoned.
True blood vs. Dead Until Darkness: Final Thoughts on Dead Things
While I much prefer the story lines taken from the books, I decided to keep True Blood separate, as a separate story and series. It has my favorite elements from the books mixed in with it – but it stands on its own. In fact, if I had never read the books, I would probably love the direction of the series. However, I prefer to read books.
Either way, I’m a True Blood fan and will continue to watch. The interesting perspective I am getting is that I don’t already know what is going to happen – because the series continues to depart from the books. As it were, as it were.
